Police station for Jagannath temple

Puri, Jun 15: The Orissa government today opened a new police station at the lions gate of the famous Jagannath temple to provide security to the 12th century monument and maintain law and order.

State Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda, who inaugurated the police station, said it would now discharge duties of a regular police station so that the pilgrims and tourists visiting the temple would feel more secure in this city.

Over 204 armed police personnel, including one inspector, 20 sub-inspectors, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, were engaged in round-the-clock vigil in and around the temple.

The police station has been equipped with modern equipment and electronic gadgets to enable it to work effectively to counter any threat from the terrorists, who were targetting temples and shrines in the country, Mr Nanda said.

The DGP said 71 new police stations would be opened to provide security to the people across the state.

A marine police station would be opened at Puri to secure the vast coastline while a marine drive police station would be opened at Ramachandi along the Puri Konark marine drive road to ensure safety of tourists.

Besides, the Baselisahi and Baliapanda police outposts would be converted into full-fledged police stations soon while the Gadishagada police out post at Kanas would be upgraded to a police station, Mr Nanda said.